Start Up Help

[nofishfisherman]

I have been ice fishing on and off for several years now but haven't really made the effort to get into more often.

I don't have alot of money to throw around but I was wondering if someone could give me some advice on what electronics to buy that would help me catch fish but is also very mindfull of a small budget.

I have seen a few cameras for $99-$149 but I haven't seen to many flashers for under $200 so I might think about doing the camera over the flasher becuase of price and I can also see more advantages to using the camera during open water season.

Truthfully I have never used a flasher so I am not sure on how beneficial they can be for ice fishing.

[Chris Stolp]

I have both a camera and a flasher. I personally think the camera is fun but its value is not near that of the flasher. I usually leave the camera at home or in the truck because its just extra wieght and hassle on the ice. Get a flasher first even if it means waiting.

Try looking for a used vex or marcum. I'll bet that a lot of guys are upgrading flashers this year and there should be some for sale at a reasonable price.

[MinnesotaMuskie]

Without a doubt...the flasher...I have a vex pro pac...but if I could do over...I would go marcum.

I feel either is good for a place to start...there will be some good deals in the for sale forum.

[tightlines]

Flasher over the camera is a wise choice. You should be able to find a used vexilar fl 8 or 18. I have seen a few used FL8's on hsolist that sold for as little as 75.00. Try posting a wanted post here on the forum. Bet you will have a few guys upgrading to the new marcum and will be selling there vexilar's. Good luck. If I happen to hear of any I'll let ya know

[korn_fish]

Flasher for sure!!!!! Some cameras don't do to well in some bodies of water because of water clarity. Flasher works in all bodies of water. Try finding a used FL-8 or LX-1 (think thats the marcum). dont even need to drill through the ice sometimes to see if fish are down there. In my opinion, camera is just a fun toy wich makes the fishing more interesting for kids.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I had my flasher before I had my shelter. I was on a budget when I first had the bug also! This is the order I made my purchases.

1. Basic Equipment (poles,buckets,lures, hand auger)

2. Flasher (much easier to find fish/depth)

3. Shelter (I kind of miss the old 5600)

4. GPS (easier to find those productive spots the next time)

5. Lakemaster PC software (easier to find the productive spots the first time)

6. Gas Auger (3 holes, 18 inches of ice, It was time)

7. Otter lodge (bigger, stronger, better)

8. Big buddy heater. (bigger, stronger, better, and now alot warmer!)

9. Boat (needed something to do in the summer)

10. Lowrance H2O and Lakemaster chip. (WOW!)

[Deitz Dittrich]

As many have already stated, I will just repeat. Underwater cameras are an awesome tool for ice fishing. You really can learn a ton of stuff from them. However, They can not replace a flasher unit. A camera is dependant on water clarity and will tell you what is in front of the camera out untill you can no longer see. A Flasher will tell you the depth, if there is fish there, where the fish are, how active they are and so much more. I can fish without a shelter most days, I can drill holes with a hand auger instead of a power auger, I can even hand over hand line up rather than reel it in. But if the battery on my LX-3 is dead.. I am going to buy a new one or I'm not going. To me its that important!

If you cant afford a new one, keep your eyes open for used ones.